Toner cartridge and image forming device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a carbon powder box and an image forming device, the carbon powder box is used for the image forming device, the carbon powder box comprises a box body, a side cover of the box body is provided with a second electric connector and a first guide part, the first guide part is closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the second connector in the first direction, and at least part of the outer surface of the first guide part in the plane perpendicular to the third direction is a curved surface. The first guide part is in contact with a guide rail of a first electric connector in the image forming device along a first direction through a curved surface, so that the first electric connector is allowed to be guided to be connected with a second electric connector in a second direction when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device; wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of imaging, in particular to a carbon powder box and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] When the toner cartridge is installed in an image forming device, the toner cartridge's electrical contacts mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device to facilitate communication between the toner cartridge's processing circuitry and the image forming device's controller. It is important to accurately position the toner cartridge's electrical contacts relative to the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device to ensure a reliable connection between the toner cartridge's processing circuitry and the image forming device's controller when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device.

[0003] In the prior art, a guide structure is provided on the side cover of the powder cartridge. When the powder cartridge is installed in the printer, the chip contact seat inside the printer is guided and pulled out, ensuring full contact with the chip. However, this structure has a weak structural strength. The guide portion of the side cover is easily worn when the powder cartridge is inserted and removed repeatedly, and repeated use can easily cause the guide portion to deform or even break. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a toner cartridge having a first guide component and a guide rail that generate a low friction force, thereby enabling smooth insertion of the toner cartridge into an image forming device and improving the structural strength of the first guide component, thereby reducing wear.

[0005] The utility model further provides an image forming device.

[0006] According to the embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model, a toner cartridge is used for an image forming device, and the toner cartridge includes: a cartridge body, a side cover of the cartridge body is provided with a second electrical connector and a first guide component, the first guide component is closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the second connector in a first direction, at least a part of the outer surface of the first guide component in a plane perpendicular to a third direction is a curved surface, and the first guide component contacts the guide track of the first electrical connector in the image forming device along the first direction through the curved surface to allow the first electrical connector to be guided to connect with the second electrical connector in the second direction during the insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device; wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first guide member, as projected onto a plane perpendicular to a third direction, has at least a portion of its outer surface designed as a curved surface. When the toner cartridge is inserted forwardly along a first direction into an image forming device, the curved surface of the first guide member contacts a guide track on the first electrical connector along the first direction, forming point-to-surface contact between the first guide member and the guide track. Subsequently, under the guidance of the first guide member, the guide track applies a force in a second direction to the first electrical connector, displacing the first electrical connector from one side in the second direction to the other side, ultimately enabling accurate connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. This reduces friction between the first guide member and the guide track, ensuring smooth insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and preventing it from getting stuck. It also reduces wear of the first guide member, improving the durability of the first guide member. The first guide member does not deform or break during repeated insertion and removal of the toner cartridge, thereby effectively ensuring that the toner cartridge has a longer service life than the image forming device.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an outer surface of the first guide component in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is a curved surface with a circular cross-section.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guiding component is a sphere or a cylinder.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide component is rotatably provided on the side cover of the box body, and the outer surface of the first guide component is in rolling engagement with the surface of the guide rail.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the two first guide components form a pair, the pair of first guide components are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the third direction and a space for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is formed between the two first guide components, and the pair of first guide components are respectively used to contact and cooperate with the corresponding guide rails on the first electrical connector along the first direction.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the toner cartridge further includes: a mounting seat, on which the second electrical connector is arranged, and the first guide component is closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the mounting seat in a first direction; a second guide component, which is closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the first guide component in the first direction, and the second guide component contacts the guide track along the first direction to allow the first electrical connector to be pre-positioned in a third direction from one side to the other side during the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are two second guide components, the two second guide components are arranged opposite to each other along the two sides of the third direction, and a space for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is formed between the two second guide components, and the two second guide components form a flared shape toward the first electrical connector on a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a mounting plate is connected between the second guide component and the mounting seat, and the first guide component is provided on a side surface of the mounting plate located in the third direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming device includes: a first electrical connector having a guide track; and the toner cartridge, the first guide component contacts the guide track along a first direction through the curved surface to allow the first electrical connector to be guided to connect with the second electrical connector in a second direction during the insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the guide rail extends horizontally from one side away from the second electrical connector to the other side in a first direction to form a first rail segment and bends and extends to one side in a second direction to form a second rail segment, and the first guide component contacts the second rail segment and the first rail segment in sequence to position the first electrical connector in the second direction from one side to the other side.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the invention further includes: a frame, wherein the first electrical connector is provided at a side end portion of the frame along the second direction, and the first electrical connector can move laterally toward and away from the frame relative to the toner cartridge.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and will become apparent from the following description or learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first electrical connector and the toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 is a side view of the first electrical connector mating with the toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3The process of inserting the toner cartridge into the image forming device according to the embodiment of the present invention into the first electrical connector and the first guide component and the second guide component is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 4 is based on Figure 3 A detailed diagram of the cooperation between the guide rail and the first guide component during the insertion process;

[0024] Figure 5 The process of inserting the toner cartridge into the image forming device according to the embodiment of the present invention into the first electrical connector and the first guide component and the second guide component is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 6 is based on Figure 5 A detailed diagram of the cooperation between the guide rail and the first guide component during the insertion process;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the process of inserting the toner cartridge of the embodiment of the utility model into the image forming device, wherein the first electrical connector cooperates with the first guide component and the second guide component. Figure 3 ;

[0027] Figure 8 is based on Figure 7 A detailed diagram of the cooperation between the guide rail and the first guide component during the insertion process;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a partial structural diagram of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of a partial structure of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first guide component at A in the plane perpendicular to the third direction.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 1. First electrical connector; 101. First electrical contact portion; 2. Guide track; 201. First track segment; 202. Second track segment; 3. Toner cartridge; 301. Side cover; 4. Second electrical connector; 401. Second electrical contact portion; 402. Recess; 403. Opening; 5. First guide component; 501. Mounting portion; 502. Guide portion; 503. Connecting portion; 504. Outer surface; 505. Curved surface; 6. Mounting seat; 7. Second guide component; 8. Mounting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary. The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0035] Reference below Figures 1-12 A toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, which is used in an image forming device.

[0036] like Figures 1-12 As shown, the toner cartridge 3 includes a cartridge body, a second electrical connector 4 and a first guide member 5 provided on a side cover 301 of the cartridge body. The first guide member 5 is located closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the second electrical connector 4 in a first direction. At least a portion of an outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 in a plane perpendicular to a third direction is a curved surface 505. The first guide member 5 contacts the guide track 2 of the first electrical connector 1 in the image forming device via the curved surface 505 along the first direction, allowing the first electrical connector 1 in the image forming device to connect with the second electrical connector 4 in the second direction when the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0037] For the convenience of description, Figure 1 The first direction is called the front direction of the toner cartridge 3, the direction opposite to the first direction is called the rear direction of the toner cartridge 3, the second direction is called the outer direction of the toner cartridge 3, the direction opposite to the second direction is called the inner direction of the toner cartridge 3, the third direction is called the upper direction of the toner cartridge 3, and the direction opposite to the third direction is called the lower direction of the toner cartridge 3.

[0038] It is understood that an image forming device is a multifunctional machine that may include a controller, a print engine, a laser scanning unit, an imaging unit, a toner cartridge 3, a user interface, a media feeding system, a media input tray, and a scanner system. For example, the image forming device may be an electrophotographic printer / copier with an integrated scanner system, or a standalone electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming device may include an imaging unit. The imaging unit is removably mounted in the toner cartridge and includes a toner container and a developer unit.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in the present invention, a toner cartridge 3 is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus in a mating relationship with a developer unit of an imaging unit. An outlet port on the toner cartridge 3 communicates with an inlet port on the developer unit, allowing toner to be periodically transferred from the toner cartridge 3 to replenish the toner reservoir in the developer unit.

[0040] As discussed above, the imaging unit and the toner cartridge 3 are removably mounted in the image forming apparatus. The imaging unit is first slidably inserted into the image forming apparatus. Figure 1 The toner cartridge 3 is then inserted into the image forming apparatus in a mating relationship with the developer unit of the imaging unit in the first orientation shown in FIG. When replacing an empty toner cartridge 3, this configuration allows the toner cartridge 3 to be easily removed and reinserted without having to remove the imaging unit. The imaging unit can also be easily removed as needed to facilitate maintenance, repair, or replacement of the developer unit.

[0041] Specific reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developer unit includes a first electrical connector 1 having a guide track 2, and a second electrical connector 4 and a first guide component 5 are provided on the side cover 301 of the toner cartridge 3. The first guide component 5 is closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the second electrical connector 4 in the first direction.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 L in the figure represents the axis of the guide rail 2 closest to the second direction. If the second electrical connector 4 is inserted into the image forming device in the axial direction, it will not properly engage with the first electrical connector 1, i.e., it will interfere with and prevent contact. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a force in the second direction to the second electrical connector 4 to properly guide it to the engaging position.

[0043] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, at least part of the outer surface 504 of the first guide component 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is a curved surface 505 , so that the first guide component 5 contacts the guide rail 2 along the first direction through the curved surface 505 .

[0044] See Figure 12 In the plan view shown in FIG. 5 , the lower portion of the outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 is formed with a curved surface 505. Figure 3-Figure 8 As shown, when the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device along the first direction, the first guide component 5 on the toner cartridge 3 contacts the guide track 2 of the first electrical connector 1 along the first direction through the curved surface 505, so that point-to-surface contact is formed between the first guide component 5 and the guide track 2. As the toner cartridge 3 is gradually inserted into the image forming device, the guide track 2 is guided by the first guide component 5. The first guide component 5 applies a force in the opposite direction to the second direction to the first electrical connector 1, so that the first electrical connector 1 is displaced from the outside of the image forming device to the inside of the image forming device, and is guided by the guide track 2 from the second direction to the opposite direction of the second direction, so that the first electrical connector 1 can be accurately connected with the second electrical connector 4.

[0045] Since at least part of the outer surface 504 of the first guide component 5 in the plane perpendicular to the third direction is designed as a curved surface 505, point-to-surface contact is formed between the first guide component 5 and the guide track 2. Compared with the guide structure on the powder cartridge in the prior art, the first guide component 5 of the utility model generates less friction between the guide track 2, which not only ensures that the process of inserting the toner cartridge 3 into the image forming device is smoother and less prone to jamming, but also makes the first guide component 5 less prone to wear, thereby improving the durability of the first guide component 5. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted and removed multiple times, the first guide component 5 on the toner cartridge 3 will not be deformed or broken.

[0046] Among them, see Figure 12 As shown, with the lowest point of curved surface 505 as the dividing point, the arc length of the portion of curved surface 505 to the left of the dividing point is greater than the arc length of the other portion of curved surface 505 to the right of the dividing point. The portion of curved surface 505 to the left of the dividing point first contacts guide rail 2, facilitating application of a force opposite to the second direction to guide rail 2.

[0047] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second electrical connector 4 may include a male plug end of the second electrical connector 4 interface or a female socket, port, or jack end of the second electrical connector 4 interface, wherein the first electrical connector 1 in the image forming apparatus forms a female end or a male end opposite to the second electrical connector 4 interface. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown in , the second electrical connector 4 comprises a female receptacle of an RJ connector. In this embodiment, the second electrical contact 401 is positioned within a recess 402 of the second electrical connector 4, which is dimensioned to receive a corresponding male plug end of the first electrical contact 101 of the first electrical connector 1 in the image forming device. The recess 402 includes a forward-facing opening 403 at the front end of the recess 402, which faces the direction in which the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device, the opening 403 allows the male plug end of the first electrical connector 1 in the image forming device to enter the recess 402.

[0048] According to the toner cartridge of the embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the outer surface 504 of the first guide component 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is designed to be a curved surface 505. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device along the first direction, the curved surface 505 of the first guide component 5 on the toner cartridge 3 contacts the guide track 2, and point-to-surface contact is formed between the first guide component 5 and the guide track 2. Subsequently, under the guidance of the first guide component 5, the first guide component 5 applies a force opposite to the second direction to the first electrical connector 1, displacing the first electrical connector 1 from the second direction to a direction opposite to the second direction. The guide track 2 guides the first electrical connector 1 from the outside of the image forming device to the inside of the image forming device, and finally enables the first electrical connector 1 to be accurately connected to the second electrical connector 4. The first guide component 5 of the present invention and the guide rail 2 will generate a smaller friction force, which can not only ensure that the process of inserting the toner cartridge 3 into the image forming device is relatively smooth and not prone to jamming, but also make the first guide component 5 less likely to wear, thereby improving the durability of the first guide component 5. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted and removed multiple times, the first guide component 5 on the toner cartridge 3 will not be deformed or broken, thereby effectively ensuring that the toner cartridge 3 has a longer service life than the image forming device, thereby improving economic applicability.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is a curved surface 505 with a circular cross-section. In other words, the outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is a circular surface. This arrangement allows any portion of the outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction to contact and mate with the guide rail 2, improving installation convenience of the first guide member 5.

[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide component 5 is a sphere or a cylinder.

[0051] like Figures 1-10 In the embodiment shown, the first guide member 5 is a cylinder, so that any portion of the outer surface 504 of the cylinder can contact the surface of the guide rail 2. For example, the cylinder can be a bearing or a roller.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide component 5 may also be a sphere, so that any portion of the outer surface 504 of the sphere can contact the surface of the guide track 2. For example, the sphere may be a ball.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide component 5 is rotatably provided on the side cover 301 of the box body, and the outer surface 504 of the first guide component 5 is in rolling engagement with the surface of the guide rail 2 .

[0054] like Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, during the insertion of the toner cartridge 3 into the image forming device, the first guide component 5 contacts the guide rail 2 along a first direction, causing the first guide component 5 to rotate, that is, rolling friction is generated between the first guide component 5 and the guide rail 2. Compared with the first guide component 5 being fixed, the friction force of rolling friction is much smaller than that of static friction, which better improves the smoothness of inserting the toner cartridge 3 into the image forming device, effectively reduces friction noise, and can better improve the wear resistance of the first guide component 5 and the guide rail 2.

[0055] Specifically, the first guide component 5 includes a mounting portion 501, a guide portion 502, and a connecting portion 503. The mounting portion 501 is mounted on the side cover 301, and the connecting portion 503 passes through the guide portion 502 and is fixedly connected to the mounting portion 501. The guide portion 502 can be fixed or rotatable. In an exemplary embodiment, the guide portion 502 is a roller, and the connecting portion 503 is a screw. The guide portion 502 can be removably attached to the mounting portion 501 via the screw. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device, the freely rotatable guide portion 502 rolls on the guide track 2 of the first electrical connector 1 while a second-direction force is applied to it, allowing it to be smoothly inserted into the opening 403 of the first electrical connector 1.

[0056] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the two first guide components 5 form a pair, the pair of first guide components 5 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the third direction, and a space for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector 1 and the second electrical connector 4 is formed between the two first guide components 5, and the pair of first guide components 5 are respectively used to contact and cooperate with the corresponding guide rails 2 on the first electrical connector 1 along the first direction.

[0057] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the first electrical connector 1 is provided with guide rails 2 on both sides of the third direction. Correspondingly, a pair of first guide members 5 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the third direction, so that the guide rails 2 of the first electrical connector 1 correspond one-to-one with the first guide members 5. In this way, when the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device, the first electrical connector 1 can be guided and positioned by the corresponding first guide members 5 on both sides of the third direction, so as to produce an overall displacement of the first electrical connector 1 in the second direction, thereby ensuring accurate engagement between the first electrical connector 1 and the second electrical connector 4. If the guide rail 2 and the corresponding first guide member 5 are provided on only one side, the first electrical connector 1 will be offset on one side in the second direction, resulting in installation failure.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the toner cartridge 3 further includes: a mounting seat 6 and a second guide member 7, the second electrical connector 4 is provided on the mounting seat 6, and the first guide member 5 is closer to the front of the toner cartridge 3 relative to the mounting seat 6 in the first direction. The second guide member 7 is closer to the front of the toner cartridge 3 relative to the first guide member 5 in the first direction, and the second guide member 7 contacts the guide rail 2 along the first direction to allow the first electrical connector 1 to be pre-positioned in a third direction from one side to the other side during the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device.

[0059] like Figure 9 As shown, the second guide member 7, the first guide member 5, and the mounting seat 6 are spaced apart from each other from front to back relative to the toner cartridge 3. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device along a first direction, the second guide member 7 first contacts the guide rail, applying a force in a third direction or a force opposite to the third direction to the first electrical connector 1, causing the first electrical connector 1 to displace in the third direction, thereby pre-positioning the first electrical connector 1 in the third direction from side to side. The first guide member 5 then positions the first electrical connector 1 in a second direction from side to side, ensuring that the first electrical connector 1 accurately engages the second electrical connector 4. In other words, the first guide member 5 and the second guide member 7 guide the first electrical connector 1 to displace in the second and third directions.

[0060] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are two second guide components 7, and the two second guide components 7 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the third direction, and a space for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector 1 and the second electrical connector 4 is formed between the two second guide components 7, and the two second guide components 5 form a flared shape toward the first electrical connector 1 on a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, two second guide members 7 are disposed opposite each other at upper and lower sides along the third direction, creating a space between them for the first electrical connector 1 to move along the first direction. Furthermore, in a plane perpendicular to the third direction, the two second guide members 7 are flared toward the first electrical connector 1. With this arrangement, when the first electrical connector 1 moves in front of the second guide members 7, either of the two second guide members 7 contacts the guide rail 2, displacing the first electrical connector 1 from one side in the third direction to the other, thereby achieving pre-positioning.

[0062] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a mounting plate 8 is connected between the second guide component 7 and the mounting seat 6 , and the first guide component 5 is provided on a side surface of the mounting plate 8 located in the third direction.

[0063] like Figure 2As shown, the mounting plate 8 and the second guide member 7 can be integrally formed on the side of the mounting base 6 facing the first electrical connector 1, which facilitates the manufacture of the toner cartridge 3. Furthermore, the first guide member 5 is provided on a side of the mounting plate 8 facing the third direction, specifically on the inner side surfaces of the two opposing mounting plates 8.

[0064] An image forming device according to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention includes a first electrical connector 1 and a toner cartridge 3. The first electrical connector 1 has a guide track 2. A first guide member 5, via a curved surface 505, contacts the guide track 2 along a first direction to allow the first electrical connector 1 to connect with the second electrical connector 4 in a second direction while the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device.

[0065] According to some embodiments shown in the present invention, the guide rail 2 extends horizontally from one side away from the second electrical connector 4 to the other side in a first direction to form a first rail segment 201, and bends and extends to one side in a second direction to form a second rail segment 202, and the first guide component 5 contacts the second rail segment 202 and the first rail segment 201 in sequence to position the first electrical connector 1 in the second direction from one side to the other side.

[0066] like Figure 3-Figure 8 As shown, in a plane perpendicular to the second direction, the guide rail 2 extends entirely along the first direction, with the first rail segment 201 extending horizontally along the first direction and the second rail segment 202 extending obliquely along the first direction, such that the second rail segment 202 bends and extends toward one side of the second direction relative to the first rail segment 201. With this arrangement, when the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device along the first direction, the first guide member 5 first contacts the inclined second rail segment 202, positioning the first electrical connector 1 from the second direction toward a direction opposite the second direction. This then causes the first guide member 5 to contact the first rail segment 201, causing the first electrical connector 1 to move horizontally along the first direction until it engages with the second electrical connector 4. In other words, the trajectory of the guide rail 2 serves to displace the first electrical connector 1 in a certain direction. The contact and engagement between the first guide member 5 and the guide rail 2 ensures that the first electrical connector 1 properly engages with the second electrical connector 4.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in the present invention, the toner cartridge 3 includes a main body and side covers 301. The side covers 301 are located on opposite sides of the main body along a second direction. The second electrical connector 4 and the first guide member 5 are mounted on the side covers 301. Furthermore, the first electrical connector 1 is mounted on the side of the image forming device. The second direction specifically refers to the left-right direction of the toner cartridge 3, and the third direction specifically refers to the up-down direction of the toner cartridge 3.

[0068] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further comprises: a frame, the first electrical connector 1 is provided at a side end of the frame along the second direction, and the first electrical connector 1 can move laterally toward and away from the frame relative to the toner cartridge 3 .

[0069] As will be appreciated, the first electrical connector 1 is biased inwardly toward the frame, away from the side of the toner cartridge 3, and laterally outwardly relative to the toner cartridge 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a tension spring may be employed to bias the first electrical connector 1 toward the frame. Of course, any suitable biasing member may be used. The first electrical connector 1 is in its initial biased position due to the bias applied by the tension spring. The first electrical connector 1 is pulled away from the frame in a second direction orthogonal to the direction in which the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device, in opposition to the bias on the first electrical connector 1, wherein the first electrical connector 1 is in its operative position. When the first electrical connector 1 is not engaged with the second electrical connector 4 of the toner cartridge 3, the bias on the first electrical connector 1 pulls the first electrical connector 1 against the frame, into a recessed position, and against the frame, thereby protecting the first electrical connector 1 from accidental contact with the imaging unit during insertion or removal from the image forming device, which could result in damage to the electrical connector. The bias on the first electrical connector 1 also protects the electrical connector from damage when the area within the image forming device housing the imaging unit and toner cartridge 3 is serviced or repaired, including, for example, when jammed media is removed from that area.

[0070] Therefore, by providing the first guide member 5 and the second guide member 7 on the toner cartridge 3, the first electrical connector 1 can be accurately positioned and accurately engaged with the second electrical connector 4. Furthermore, by designing at least a portion of the outer surface 504 of the first guide member 5 in a plane perpendicular to the third direction as a curved surface 505, when the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device along the first direction, the curved surface 505 of the first guide member 5 forms point-to-surface contact with the guide rail 2, resulting in reduced friction between the first guide member 5 and the guide rail 2. This not only ensures that the toner cartridge 3 is inserted into the image forming device more smoothly and is less likely to become stuck, but also reduces wear of the first guide member 5, thereby improving the durability of the first guide member 5. When the toner cartridge 3 is inserted and removed multiple times, the first guide member 5 will not deform or break, thereby effectively ensuring that the toner cartridge 3 has a service life longer than the image forming device.

[0071] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0072] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge for an image forming device, characterized in that: include: A box body, a side cover of which is provided with a second electrical connector and a first guide component, the first guide component being closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the second electrical connector in a first direction, at least a portion of the outer surface of the first guide component in a plane perpendicular to a third direction is a curved surface, the first guide component contacts the guide track of the first electrical connector in the image forming device along the first direction through the curved surface to allow the toner cartridge to guide the first electrical connector to connect with the second electrical connector in the second direction during insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device; wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: An outer surface of the first guide member in a plane perpendicular to the third direction is a curved surface with a circular cross section.

3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The first guiding component is a sphere or a cylinder.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The first guide component is rotatably arranged on the side cover of the box body, and the outer surface of the first guide component is in rolling engagement with the surface of the guide rail.

5. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The two first guide components form a pair, and the pair of first guide components are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the third direction and form a space between the two first guide components for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. The pair of first guide components are respectively used to contact and cooperate with the corresponding guide rails on the first electrical connector along the first direction.

6. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The toner cartridge further comprises: a mounting seat, the second electrical connector being disposed on the mounting seat, the first guide member being closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the mounting seat in a first direction; a second guide member located closer to the front of the toner cartridge relative to the first guide member in a first direction, the second guide member contacting the guide rail along the first direction to allow the first electrical connector to be pre-positioned in a third direction from one side to the other side during insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device.

7. The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: There are two second guide components, and the two second guide components are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the third direction. A space for guiding the connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is formed between the two second guide components, and the two second guide components form a flared shape toward the first electrical connector on a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

8. The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: A mounting plate is connected between the second guide component and the mounting seat, and the first guide component is provided on a side surface of the mounting plate located in the third direction.

9. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that: include: a first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector has a guide track; And the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first guide component contacts the guide rail along a first direction through the curved surface to allow the first electrical connector to be guided to connect with the second electrical connector in a second direction during insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The guide rail extends horizontally from one side away from the second electrical connector to the other side in a first direction to form a first rail segment and bends and extends to one side in a second direction to form a second rail segment. The first guide component contacts the second rail segment and the first rail segment in sequence to position the first electrical connector in the second direction from one side to the other side.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein Also includes: The first electrical connector is provided at a side end portion of the frame along the second direction, and the first electrical connector is movable laterally toward and away from the frame relative to the toner cartridge.

Images